Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
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The shoulder pads were on for the first time in camp, but on Tuesday in Provo, the practice field was still a "no-hit zone" on head coach Bronco Mendenhall's orders.
The players had a difficult time obeying those orders in the 11-on-11 session to end practice, so Mendenhall called an early end to the proceedings, choosing to put his players through a lengthy conditioning gauntlet in place of live snaps.
The hit that caused the shut-down was delivered by safety Daniel Sorensen, who knocked running back Michael Alisa off his feet after a run. Alisa responded by knocking the helmet off of Sorensen's head, and following a brief scuffle and some angry words, Mendenhall had seen enough. The Cougars' first camp practice in shoulder pads ended before its scheduled completion.
"I think you can view it a couple of ways," said Mendenhall after practice. You can view it as 'they really want to play and they're very competitive, and they really want to be good,' or 'they need to learn how to practice.' You can take whatever slant you'd like on that one."
Asked why he had his guys in shoulder pads if hitting was not allowed, Mendenhall said "protection was the idea"; tomorrow's practice will again be in helmets and shoulder pads, with the first fully-padded practice turning out to be Thursday's stadium scrimmage. So, fans in attendance will be seeing the first real hitting of BYU's preseason practices, one week into camp.
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After five days of camp, junior wide receiver Cody Hoffman and senior defensive back Joe Sampson have still practiced only once, with a "team discipline issue" sidelining the pair for the last four practices.
On Tuesday, Mendenhall said simply "no" when asked if concerns increase with the days they miss.
On the indefinite nature of their absence, Mendenhall said the players could be back "maybe as early as tomorrow...but we'll go until I feel great about where they are."
The coach was asked if the players' benchings were related or coincidental, and he said "a bit of both."
"I wouldn't be worried, though. When they come back out to practice, whenever that is, we'll all be happy."
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Besides Hoffman and Sampson, main-line players who were absent on Tuesday were:
TE Marcus Mathews (sick)
TE Devin Mahina (broken hand)
WR Dallin Cutler (hamstring)
LB Zac Stout (not explained)
K Justin Sorensen (back)
Mendenhall said an MRI on Sorensen's back would be performed later today, after a Monday meeting between the two was held "just to be on the same page. He wanted to make sure that I was communicated with, and it was great for me to give him direction. Anytime guys sit out, there's an urgency; they want to get (back) out. I don't want him cutting corners, I don't want the system cutting corners, I want him to be healthy. I want him to be healthy for the season, and I want him to practice appropriately when he's ready. And so, it was just a matter of communication all those expectations."
Mendenhall said he is still hopeful of Sorensen being able to kick this season, "hopefully, in the opener."
Sorensen had back surgery in the offseason, and Mendenhall said that doctors "are on it really precisely and pretty conservatively, which, with backs and surgery, that's probably the right thing to do."
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You can hear all of Mendenhall's post-practice comments in "Cougar Cuts," above left, in addition to Jason Shepherd's conversation with WR Ross Apo. Today's "Shep Talk" is a one-on-one with safety Mike Hague.
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With Cody Hoffman out, a number of players have taken turns as the no. 1 X receiver, with Skyler Ridley and Mitch Mathews getting most of the first-team reps. I thought Mathews (6'6", 213 lbs.) had a particularly good day today--very precise on his routes, with solid hands.
As to whether Mathews can make a run for the eventual no. 2 spot behind Hoffman, Mendenhall said he will ask every position coach for a two-deep after Thursday's scrimmage. Acknowledging that the "ones" are solidified at many spots, he said the depth chart assignment will be to "try to see where everybody else is as well...man, I hope a bunch of guys can play."
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In the absence of Joe Sampson, Mike Hague and Craig Bills have alternated as the first-string free safety. Today, it was Bills' turn to run with the "ones," and he also took Sampson's spot as the no. 1 nickel.
Ziggy Ansah was back at linebacker after a day at defensive end on Monday. Mendenhall said Ziggy's primary role will most likely be at linebacker in 2012, "then a nickel rush guy, and then, based on depth--how the D-line holds up--probably defensive end as a third choice."
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Mendenhall says he "really likes the depth" of the offensive line, and it was easy to see why today, with seven players rotating among five first-string spots, and an additional six players moving around on the second-team.
Projected starter Brock Stringham (ankle sprain) was back and practicing today, and took his spot at no. 1 right guard, alongside center Blair Tushaus and right tackle Braden Brown. Ryker Mathews has locked down left tackle, while Ryan Freeman, who played RG while Stringham was out, moved over to no. 1 LG today, rotating with Solomone Kafu. Tackle Michael Yeck also got a few first-string snaps behind Mathews at LT, along with second-string snaps at RT, rotating with Walter Kahaiali'i. Braden Hansen has been a second-teamer from the get-go in camp, rotating between, tackle, guard and center.
Speaking of centers, Houston Reynolds has shaken off some early camp shin pain to take part in most team segments the last couple of days, and is currently number two behind Tushaus.
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Highlight plays of the day were a 50-yard throw from Riley Nelson to Brett Thompson in a play-action period, and a long catch-and-run touchdown on a hookup from Nelson to Skyler Ridley, in skelly (no linemen).
During the practice-ending 11-on-11 session, Riley Nelson attempted only three passes, completing all of them to running backs for short gains.
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A number of players changed jersey numbers in the last couple of days:
QB James Lark from #3 to #7
QB Taysom Hill from #12 to #4
WR Skyler Ridley from #29 to #17
WR Jake Kuresa from #7 to #6
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While very little placement kicking has taken place, backup QB James Lark is the first choice at holder.
With Justin Sorensen out, Riley Stephenson and Scott Arellano are the other kickers on the roster, with QB Taysom Hill also available in a pinch. Hill was back out with the kickers at the start of practice today. The deep snapper remains Reed Hornung.
In the punt return group today were JD Falslev, Dylan Collie, Cody Raymond and Alex Kuresa. Additionally, in the pre-practice group of kick returners (working with the Jugs machine) were also Mike Hague, Ross Apo, Jamaal Williams and Adam Hine.
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The Cougars will hold another morning practice session at the outdoor fields on Wednesday morning; players will be in helmets and shoulder pads, but there will again be no hitting. The full-pads scrimmage will follow on Thursday morning at 10:20 am in Lavell Edwards Stadium. Fans are advised to use only the west parking lot, enter through only the west gates, and sit in only the west stands. Other sections will be closed off for stadium scoreboard construction.
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BYU would like you to know that August 30th's season opener with Washington State will be a "white-out"; everyone in attendance should have a white shirt on.
For the Hawaii game on September 28th, the school is planning to have alternating sections dress in blue or white. Instructions to all ticket holders will be given, with the color dictated by seating section.
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Photo: courtesy David Almodova, BYU Athletic Marketing
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